Predators' power plays holding upper hand on penalty killing

With one week of preseason, equal work on both special teams not possible

6:59 PM,
Jan. 20, 2013

Written by

Josh Cooper
Gannett Tennessee

It wasn't too surprising to the Predators that power plays held the advantage over penalty kills in their season-opening shootout loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Power plays involve more read-and-react type play, while penalty kills rely more on preparations and system. And since training camp was only six days thanks to the lockout, most teams around the NHL haven't had the time to ensure their penalty kill is in lockdown mode.

On the NHL's opening day, 18 of the 26 teams in action scored a power play goal. Also, nine teams scored on 50 percent or better of their power play opportunities. ...